2 Dec 2021

Covid-19: Auckland businesses expected to struggle at red

From Morning Report, 7:26 am on 2 December 2021

Auckland's economic development agency is warning more businesses will close for good if the city doesn't move to Covid-19 traffic level light orange in a fortnight.

The actual number of financially stressed businesses is hard to quantify because many sell up before hitting rock bottom and insolvency statistics lag by months.

One indicator, missed rates payments, shows the hardship is real, with $53 million owing to Auckland Council - a jump of 20 percent compared to previous years.

Amy Williams has the story.